The Invention of Wings

A Novel

By: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women.

Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world - and it is now the newest Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection.

Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.

As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.

Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better.

This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.

©2014 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman - slave or free... a conversation changer.” (Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine)

“Exhilarating...powerful...By humanizing these formidable women, The Invention of Wings furthers our essential understanding of what has happened among us as Americans - and why it still matters.” (The Washington Post)

“A textured masterpiece, quietly yet powerfully poking our consciences and our consciousness... leaves us feeling uplifted and hopeful.” (NPR)

powerful story, brilliantly written

In my 66 years, I don't think I have enjoyed another novel as thoroughly as I have The Invention of Wings. The story is compelling as an historical novel, while reaching deep into the minds and souls of the well developed characters. Ms. Kidd has brilliantly written this powerfully important story to move through time and events with smooth transitions that kept me engaged. I will be recommending this novel to everyone I know with a strong recommendation that it be in the audible format. The narrations of each character enhanced my interest in the story, as well as the person.

A most powerful account of slavery...

I couldn't wait to get into the car to listen to this book. After listening, I learned that much of the story about Sarah Grimke was indeed based on fact, but Handful was imagined. I found both of their stories rich, as they each were so incredibly brave. I found the perspective of Handful and the day to day pain and drudgery over her lifetime to be powerful . I'm generally not a Sue Monk Kidd fan, but I highly recommend this book.

Don’t miss this one

Loved, loved, loved this book. I recommend it highly! Couldn’t put it down! Kudos, Ms Kidd

Amazing Story!

What did you love best about The Invention of Wings?

The writing made the story extremely vivid and easy to follow. Sparked real images in your mind and you could not only hear the story, but feel it as well.

best novel read in a long time

excellent story that will stay with you for years. narrator is wonderful. The author clearly did a lot of research but that does not stop or slow down the plot or the story.

Historical fiction pleasure.

Where does The Invention of Wings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top five.

What did you like best about this story?

History placed in a life story form makes listening a meaningful experience.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Handful and Sarah equally

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Terrific historical fiction.

Any additional comments?

Overall this is a 4.5 because the initial section is a repeat of so much pre-emancipation fiction. Once the story shifts north, however, it picks up new depth.

Excellent

I really enjoyed this book. It was insightful, educational, and completely enjoyable. The narrators were absolutey OUTSTANDING!

Really good!

The story was moving, a little hard to listen to because of the pain and human suffering, but riveting. It drew me in to the very last second! Fantastic!

Sensational

I love historical fiction , and this book is just about one of the best I've ever read.As a young girl I read Uncle Tom's Cabin, as well as any other book about slavery and racism I could find. Something in my heart broke for all those enslaved people. I am glad that all these years later that Sue Monk Kidd has brought this subject back in her novel so people never forget the horror of slavery in America.